I was detailing the interior of a running Audi (to keep the AC on). I stepped out to grab a towel, and the door slammed shut. The car auto-locked. The engine was running. I didn’t have a spare key. I had to call a locksmith who charged $350 for an emergency lockout.
Key Takeaways
- Not an Insurance Claim: A $350 loss is almost certainly below your deductible ($500 or $1,000). Filing a claim is pointless and only hurts your record.
- Roadside Assistance Add-Ons: Some business auto policies or credit cards allow you to add “Roadside Assistance” for business vehicles, which might cover this.
- The “Damage” Risk: If you try to slim-jim the door yourself and scratch the glass or tear the weatherstripping, that damage is a Garage Keepers claim (and likely denied as workmanship).
- Prevention: The only real “insurance” here is a policy of rolling the window down whenever the car is running.
The “Why” (The Trap): The Deductible Barrier
This is a Frequency vs. Severity issue.
Insurance is for severity (totaled car).
Lockouts are frequency (annoyance).
Insurers set deductibles at $500+ specifically to avoid handling $300 locksmith paperwork.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I checked options for lockout reimbursement.
1. AAA (Personal)
- Result: AAA covers the member, not the car. If you have AAA Plus, you can often use it to unlock a customer’s car if you are present.
- Verdict: Best hack for detailers.
2. Commercial Auto Roadside
- Result: Only covers your work van, not the customer’s car you are working on.
3. Garage Keepers
- Result: Deductible applied. No payout.
Comparison Table: Lockout Solutions
| Method | Cost | Damage Risk | Time |
| Insurance Claim | Deductible ($500) | N/A | Slow |
| Locksmith (Cash) | $150 – $350 | Low | Fast |
| DIY (Coat Hanger) | $0 | High (Scratches) | Medium |
| AAA Membership | $100/yr | Low | Medium |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Don’t DIY: Modern cars have airbags in the pillars and sensitive electronics in the doors. Sticking a wire in there can cause $2,000 in damage.
- Call a Pro: Eat the $200 cost. It’s the cost of doing business.
- Spare Key Protocol: Before you start detailing, ask the customer for the second key or roll the window down 3 inches.
- Keep the Receipt: It’s a tax-deductible business expense (“Subcontractor – Locksmith”).
FAQ
Q: Can I break the window?
A: Only if a child or pet is inside. Otherwise, a window costs more than a locksmith.
Q: What if the car runs out of gas while locked?
A: Then you have a lockout and a priming issue. Just call the locksmith fast.
[IMAGE: Photo of a window wedge tool being inserted correctly vs incorrectly.]